PARKERSBURG - No Wood County teams in the state high school football playoffs?
That is a distinct possibility.
When the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission announced Monday afternoon it was reinstating the seven wins it previously had taken away from Elkins High School, Parkersburg South was officially eliminated from playoff contention in Class AAA.
Even if the 5-4 Patriots beat 2-7 John Marshall on Friday night at the Erickson All-Sports Facility, South will come up short in its playoff quest.
Thus, both of Parkersburg's Class AAA high schools will not be part of the 16-team field whose members will gather at the WVSSAC office on Sunday.
Parkersburg High (4-5) travels to 7-2 George Washington on Friday but even an upset win over the Patriots won't get PHS in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, in Class A, Williamstown (5-4), which will be ranked No. 17 when the ratings are released later today, finds itself in a virtual must-win situation at Class AA Roane County (6-3) on Friday night. A win and Williamstown will be in. A loss and its still possible at 5-5 the Yellowjackets could earn one of the final two playoff spots.
Wood County's other Class A team, Parkersburg Catholic (5-5) is ranked No. 19 and will miss the postseason. Thus, Williamstown represents Wood County's only hope.
Heading into the final week of the season, the Mid-Ohio Valley is assured of having two teams participating in the Class AA playoffs as both Roane County and Ritchie County have compiled 6-3 records and will be tied with one another for the No. 9 position. Roane closes its season by entertaining Williamstown while Ritchie County will play host to Grafton (2-7) at Chuck Schofield Stadium in Ellenboro.
It is the small school division where Mid-Ohio Valley teams are faring best as four schools - Magnolia, Wahama, St. Marys and Wirt County -already have clinched playoff berths.
Magnolia (8-1) will be ranked No. 2. The Blue Eagles travel to Class AA Oak Glen (4-5) on Friday. Meanwhile, Wahama (9-0) will be No. 3. The White Falcons entertain No. 11 Buffalo (7-2) on Friday night. If both Magnolia and Wahama win, the Blue Eagles have the advantage of securing the No. 2 spot and earning home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Speaking of home-field advantage, St. Marys (8-1) will be ranked No. 6 and can secure a top 8 finish and a first-round home playoff game by beating No. 18 Doddridge County on Friday night at Imlay Field.
Wirt County (6-3) will be ranked No. 13. The Tigers entertain South Harrison (3-6) on Friday night in a game that will determine Wirt's final playoff positioning. Win or lose, the Tigers will make the playoffs but will be on the road for the opening round.
The only other local team that can climb into the top 16 is Doddridge (6-3), which is in a must-win situation at St. Marys.
